Self-contained handle heater

ABSTRACT

A handle heater fueled with liquefied petroleum gas contained in a cylinder secured in or on the handle with the flow of gas controlled by a hand-actuated valve. Means are provided for lighting the flame with a flint-type igniter. Accidental flow of fluid from the cylinder is prevented by the path of the conduit extending from the cylinder to the burner. Means extending through the handle provides a tortuous path for the products of combustion to evenly heat the handle. The handles are disclosed as fishing pole handles and golf cart handles.

United States Patent [72] lnventor Alvin M. Boldt 820 Lariat Drive, Eugene, Oreg. 97401 [21] Appl. No. 837,276 [22] Filed June 27, 1969 [45] Patented May 11, 1971 [54] SELF-CONTAINED HANDLE HEATER 6 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 126/208, 126/229, 126/414, 431/277, 431/345 [51] Int. Cl A6lf 7/06, F23q 1/02 [50] Field of Search 126/208, 229, 85, 404, 407, 409, 412, 414; 431/277, 344, 345

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 1,181,134 5/1916 Harper 126/409 1,285,830 11/1918 Stiffey 126/414 1,487,864 3/1924 Lawrence. 126/414 2,758,592 8/1956 Phipps l26/208 2,986,208 5/1961 Aciego 43 l/277X Primary Examiner-Charles J. Myhre Attorney-Kimmel, Crowell & Weaver ABSTRACT: A handle heater fueled with liquefied petroleum gas contained in a cylinder secured in or on the handle with the flow of gas controlled by a hand-actuated valve. Means are provided for lighting the flame with a flint-type igniter. Accidental flow of fluid from the cylinder is prevented by the path of the conduit extending from the cylinder to the burner. Means extending through the handle provides a tortuous path for the products of combustion to evenly heat the handle. The handles are disclosed as fishing pole handles and golf cart handles.

PATENIED1I4AH 1 am SHEET 1'" (1r 2 2 a d M) x n v \%v 3 n t; I! I m\ If! If fill. 7 w Q llllll' A'r'mmuevs SELF-CONTAINED HANDLE HEATER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to handle heaters for heating the hollow handles of devices such as golf carts, fishing poles, and the like so as to warm the sportsmans's hands while following the sport in cold weather.

2. Description of the Prior Art Hand warmers are known in the prior art and usually consist of a device which can be held in the hand to warm the hands and then must be put down while using the sports equipment. Chemical heaters have been combined with handles as well as gas-fueled heaters but in every instance these have been complicated heavy expensive devices which are not practical for adaptation to the mass market.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the present self-contained handle heater, a cylindrical gas cartridge is removably mounted on or in the handle and is provided with a conduit extending to a burner with the conduit having a tortuous path such as to form a trap to prevent the flow of fluid from the cylinder when the handle is inverted. A valve is provided for controlling the flow of gas from the cylinder and a spark igniter is arranged to ignite the gas when lighting the burner.

The igniter is arranged to be moved into and out of the path of the gas so that after the gas is ignited, the burner is moved so as to be in a position wherein the flames will not impinge thereon to carbon up the igniter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the invention shown partially broken awayand in section for convenience of illustration;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation partially broken away and in section of a modified form of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of another modified form of the invention shown partially broken away and in section for convenience of illustration;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation partially broken away and in section of the lower portion of the handle illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of the control handle mounting;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 of a modified form of trap in the gas conduit; I

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the flame shield; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a modified form of heating element for use with the flame shield of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several FIGS., the reference numeral indicates generally a golf cart handle heater constructed in accordance with the invention.

The golf cart handle heater 20 includes a generally tubular handle 21 which conventionally extends from the golf cart (not shown). The tubular handle 21 extends into a generally cylindrical fitting 22 having a valve 23 mounted on one side thereof. The fitting 22 has a vertical slot 24 formed therein coinciding with slot 25 formed in the tubular handle 21.

The needle valve 23 has a rotatable valve stem 26 to which is attached as S-shaped handle 27 by means of a head 28.

An car 29 is secured to the fitting 22 and has a threaded stop bolt 30 adjustably mounted therein to engage the S- shaped handle 27 and limit the amount it can be turned in opening the valve 23 so that an optimum flow of gas through the-valve 23 can be provided for.

A liquefied petroleum gas cylindrical container 31 is connected to the valve 23 by a conventional threaded connection to pierce the container 31 and permit the flow of gas from the container 31 through the valve 23 when the valve 23 is open. A felt filter F is mounting the outlet of the valve 23 to clean debris from the gas before passing to the burner.

A sleeve 32 is slidably mounted on the tubular handle 21 and can be locked thereto by a setscrew 33. A rigid cup 34 is secured to the sleeve 32 and extends laterally therefrom to support the lower end of the container 31 with the upper end of the container 31 attached to the valve 23. When it is desired to remove the container 31 from the valve 23, the setscrew 33 is loosened and the sleeve 32 is slid downwardly on the handle 21 so that the cup 34 disengages from the container 31 and it can be loosened from the valve 23.

A gas conduit 35 extends from the valve 23 and has a horseshoe loop 36 formed therein extending downwardly in the tubular handle 21 coextensive with and generally parallel to the container 31. A leg 37 extends upwardly from the loop 36 for reasons to be assigned.

A cylindrical hollow body generally indicated at 38 includes a lower section 39 integrally secured at its lower end to the tubular handle 21 at 40. The lower section 39 includes a reduced diameter lip 41 formed on the upper end thereof. An upper section 42 of the body 38 telescopically engages over the lip 41 and is detachably secured thereto. The body 38 is provided with a plurality of perforations 43 to permit a flow of air into the hollow central portion thereof. The upper end of the upper section of the body 38 is secured at 44 to the handle 21. A spirally twisted ribbon of steel 45 extends into the upper section 42 of the body 38 and continues upwardly through the handle 21 for reasons to be assigned.

A perforate burner housing 46 of generally cylindrical configurationris secured on a support 47 centrally of the lower section 39 of the body 38 and has the upper end of the leg 37 secured thereto at 48. A heating element coil 49 is secured to the burner housing 46 and is arranged around the burner tip 50 and extends upwardly therefrom in a position so as to lie within the flame when the gas is ignited.

An igniter generally indicated at 51 includes a shaft 52 extending through a bushing 53 in the side of the lower section 39 of the body 38 and has a knurled knob 54 secured to the outer end thereof. A U-shaped member 55 supports the inner end of the shaft 52 with the shaft 52 joumaled therein. A coil spring 56 is mounted on the shaft 52 engaging at its opposite ends the U-shaped member 55 and the wall of the lower section 39 so as to normally urge the shaft 52 axially into the body 38. A conventional flint holder 57 is secured to the U-shaped member 55 and carries which engages a scratcher wheel 58 mounted on the inner end of the shaft 52.

In the use and operation of the golf cart handle heater illustrated in FIGS. '1 and 2, the valve 23 is opened to permit a flow of gas by rotating the handle 27 toward the stop bolt 30 and the knurled knob 54 is grasped and the shaft 52 is pulled outwardly from the body 38 until the scratcher wheel 58 overlies the burner tip 50. With the igniter 51 in this position, the knob 54 is rotated causing the scratcher wheel to throw sparks into the path of the gas and thus ignite the burner. After the burner is ignited, the knob 54 is released and the spring 56 moves the U-shaped member 55 and scratcher wheel 58 out of the path of the flames so that these elements are not subjected to the direct heat of the flame and the carbonizing effects thereof. The perforations 43 permit the flow of air into the body 38 to supply the necessary oxygen for combustion and the products of combustion can flow upwardly through the handle 21 to its open remote end (not shown). The steel ribbon 45 creates a swirling motion in the products of combustion and evenly distributes the heat through out the tubular handle 21 evenly which it extends.

In FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 a modified form of the invention is illustrated comprising a fishpole handle heater indicated generally at 120.

The fishpole handle heater is associated with a tubular fishpole handle 121 having a telescopic cover 122 closing the lower end thereof. A valve 123 is mounted in the tubular handle 121 and has a rotary valve stem 126 extending outwardly therefrom to project outwardly of the tubular handle 121. An S-shaped handle 127 is secured to the valve stem 126 by means of a head 128. An car 129 is secured to the tubular handle 121 and has a stop bolt 130 threaded therethrough for engaging the S-shaped handle 127 to limit the opening of the valve 123. A cylindrical liquefied petroleum gas container 131 is mounted in the tubular handle 121 and is detachably connected to the valve 123 so that gas can flow through the valve 123 when opened. The cover 122 has a coil spring 132 mounted therein to maintain the container 131 in engagement with the valve 123. A bayonet slot 133 in the upper edge of the cover 122 engages a pin 134 on the tubular handle 121 to secure the cover 122 in closed position thereon. A gas conduit 135 leads upwardly from the valve 123 and has a horseshoe loop 136 extending downwardly in the tubular handle 121 a distance equal to the length of the container 131. A leg 137 extends upwardly from the horseshoe loop 136 for reasons to be assigned.

A burner housing 146 is secured to the tubular handle 121 by a bolt 147 and the upper end of the leg 137 is secured thereto at 148. A heating element coil 149 is secured to the burner housing 146 and extends downwardly therein surrounding the bumer tip 150 arranged to be within the flame from the burner 150.

An igniter generally indicated at 151 includes a shaft 152 which extends through a bushing 153 in the wall of the tubular handle 121. A knurled knob 154 is secured to the outer end of the shaft 152 and a U-shaped member 155 supports the inner end of the shaft 152 which is joumaled therein. A coil spring 156 is positioned on the shaft 152 engaging at one end the bushing 153 and at the other end the U-shaped member 155 to normally urge the shaft 152 inwardly of the tubular handle 121. A flint holder 157 has its lower end secured to the U- shaped member 155 and is arranged to conventionaily feed flint into contact with a scratcher wheel 158 mounted on the inner end of the shaft 152. The operation of the igniter 151 is identical to that of the igniter 51 described above.

In FIG. 3 a modified form of the invention is illustrated wherein the tubular handle 221 is provided with a valve 223 identical to the valve 123 and has a gas conduit 235 extending upwardly therefrom. A reverted coil 236 extends downwardly from the gas conduit 235 surrounding the upper portion of the valve 223 and has a leg 237 which extends upwardly to the burner housing 246 secured to the inner wall of the tubular handle 221. An igniter generally indicated at 251 is structurally identical to the igniter 151 with the exception that it extends through the tubular handle 221 at a slightly different angle.

In FIG. 7 another modified form of the invention is disclosed wherein the tubular handle 321 has a valve 323 mounted therein and a gas conduit 335 extends from the valve 323 and has a plurality of horseshoe bends 336 extending downwardly therein alongside of the valve 323. A leg 337 extends upwardly from the horseshoe loops 336 to the burner (not shown).

In FIGS. 8 and 9, still another modified form of the invention is illustrated wherein a burner housing generally indicated at 446 includes an L-shaped support 447 which is adapted to be secured to the inner wall of the tubular handle. The burner housing 446 includes a perforate generally cylindrical wall 448 to which is adapted to be attached an open heating coil 449 illustrated in FIG. 9.

The heating coils 49, 149 and 449 are tubular elements with the number of coil circles varied in accordance with the heating value of the gas used. The coils regulate the heat of the burning gas and this combined with the controlled mixture of gas and air results in a nearly total burn off of gas and a desired nonaccumulation of carbon. The coiled tubing must reach approximately the middle of the flame to be effective.

While it has not been shown in the drawings, nonflammable cloth covers can be arranged to surround the heated handles to assist in maintaining the heat and to provide a soft surface for rippin the handle.

avmg t us described the preferred embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that numerous additional structural modifications and adaptations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A tubular handle heater comprising:

a gas burner mounted centrally of the tubular handle,

a gas container detachably secured to the handle,

a valve for controlling the flow of gas from said container,

handcontrolled means for adjusting said valve,

a conduit for feeding gas from said valve to said burner,

an igniter for igniting said burner, and

resilient means on said igniter for automatically moving said igniter out of the path of the flames after ignition has taken place.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a perforate burner housing is secured to said handle surrounding said burner, and a tubular heat-controlling coil is secured to said burner housing in the path of the flame from said burner.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein means are provided in said conduit for preventing the flow of liquid from said container upon inversion of said handle.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the means for preventing flow of fluid from said container to said burner comprises at least one horseshoe loop in said conduit.

5. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the means for preventing flow of fluid from said container to said burner comprises a coil including a plurality of horseshoe loops.

6. A tubular handle heater comprising:

a gas burner mounted centrally of the tubular handle,

a gas container detachably secured to the handle,

a valve for controlling the flow of gas from said container,

hand-controlled means for adjusting said valve,

a conduit for feeding gas from said valve to said burner,

an igniter for igniting said burner, and

a spiral heatdistributing ribbon mounted in said handle in the path of the products of combustion from said burner. 

1. A tubular handle heater comprising: a gas burner mounted centrally of the tubular handle, a gas container detachably secured to the handle, a valve for controlling the flow of gas from said container, hand-controlled means for adjusting said valve, a conduit for feeding gas from said valve to said burner, an igniter for igniting said burner, and resilient means on said igniter for automatically moving said igniter out of the path of the flames after ignition has taken place.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a perforate burner housing is secured to said handle surrounding said burner, and a tubular heat-controlling coil is secured to said burner housing in the path of the flame from said burner.
 3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein means are provided in said conduit for preventing the flow of liquid from said container upon inversion of said handle.
 4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the means for preventing flow of fluid from said container to said burner comprises at least one horseshoe loop in said conduit.
 5. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the means for preventing flow of fluid from said container to said burner comprises a coil including a plurality of horseshoe loops.
 6. A tubular handle heater comprising: a gas burner mounted centrally of the tubular handle, a gas container detachably secured to the handle, a valve for controlling the flow of gas from said container, hand-controlled means for adjusting said valve, a conduit for feeding gas from said valve to said burner, an igniter for igniting said burner, and a spiral heat-distributing ribbon mounted in said handle in the path of the products of combustion from said burner. 